Research to Reduce Time to Treatment for Heart Attack/Myocardial Infarction

Proposed Project Research to Reduce Time to Treatment for Heart Attack/Myocardial Infarction for Rural American Indians/Alaska Natives (AI/AN) --New--National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion (NCCDPHP), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).Background and Brief Description Every year, approximately 1.1 million Americans have a first or recurrent heart attack/myocardial infarction (MI) and about one third of these will be fatal. Early recognition of MI by both the victim and bystanders followed by prompt cardiac emergency and advanced care has a direct effect on patient outcomes; the shorter the delay to treatment, the better the outcomes. Research indicates that public recognition of major MI symptoms, and the need for immediate action by calling 9-1-1, is poor and that patient delay accounts for most of the lag in treatment. Additional data from the National MI Registry suggest that the greatest disparity for time to treatment exists among racial and ethnic minorities and that the American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) group has the longest delay times. CDC requests OMB approval to conduct a study to address gaps in knowledge about MI and to develop a key health message for reducing time to treatment in AI/AN populations. Respondents will be recruited from three regions of the U.S. Information about knowledge, attitudes and behaviors will be collected through interviews with key informants including medical care providers, tribal community leaders, and individual AI/AN community members. In addition, more detailed information will be collected through extended focus group discussions with AI/AN community members who have experienced an MI or who are considered at high risk for MI.